Things To Consider For A Laundry Room Remodel

It seems that kitchens tend to demand the most attention in home design, rightly so as it is the hub of the home and a great deal of time is spent there. However, plenty of time is also spent in laundry room which can often go unnoticed. They tend to seem like large closets with a washer and dryer and little to no room to work and move about. Making this room a priority can not only create an extremely efficient work space but also reduce stress by making the storage, layout, and design work for you. Here are 8 ways to upgrade your laundry room!

Elevate Your Washer and Dryer

Front loading washers and dryers have become incredibly more popular than top-loading units due to higher energy efficiency and space capacity. Most front-loading machines tend to be quite low to the ground resulting in you having to kneel or crouch to load or unload clothes. Generally, a comfortable height is 30 to 39 inches. As a bonus, you can fit a typical laundry basket below the drum to easily catch the laundry. Design and build a cabinetry base to raise the front loading machines to a comfortable height for loading and unloading.

Get a Lower Folding Table/Island

Most countertops are a standard 36 inches high and are comfortable for the average person. However, folding laundry requires different body movement than most activities done at your standard countertop. Twisting, bending, and leaning over and forward to fold large items of laundry can take a tole on your joints and having a flat surface at a lower than standard height with help alleviate some stress from your back and shoulders. Keep in mind what is comfortable for you because we all vary in shapes and sizes.

Use Rolling Laundry Bins

Most rolling bins are commercial grade with rubber edges to avoid wall or cabinetry scuffs. When choosing your rolling bins, make sure they can fit underneath your counters or cabinetry with some room to spare for extra full bins. Do keep in mind your flooring; if you have uneven tile, stone, or cleft-cut finish, rolling might be more challenging.

Open Shelving

Embrace this concept; it will make things quick and easier. You’ll likely find this prompts you to keep things neater as well since they are in plain sight. A shelf height, for frequently used items, of around 62 inches tends to be most comfortable for most people in a standing position. Put the occasionally used items on the higher shelves.

Open shelving is great for under the counter as well. This allows for quick access and opening the cabinet doors won’t limit your space either!

Install a Deep, Raised Sink (with adjustable fixture)

The majority of standard sinks range from 8 to 10 inches in depth. A deeper 12+ inch bowl depth minimizes splashing and spilling. Make sure when installing a deep sink, that it is elevated to avoid having to bend or hunch over.

Think About Where You’ll Be Ironing

You might notice how many older homes have recessed ironing boards installed right into the wall or cupboard. It’s a mystery why they ever went out of style because they are so handy! Having your ironing board as part of a wall mounted system eliminates dragging it out of the closet to set it up plus the tipsiness and cord battle that come with it.

If you’re in the planning stages for a laundry room renovation, you can easily incorporate a system like this that will allow more space to store your iron, small shelving, or even a hanger.

If you don’t have the wall space required for a wall mounted ironing system, consider one that is drawer recessed. The Ironfix board by Hafele can fit into a 24 inch wide, 14 inch deep space and can rotate 180 degrees when extended. The only cons with this unit is that the drawer will need to be near an outlet and you’ll have to be comfortable with the standard height (close to 35 inches) of the ironing board.

Consider a Laundry Chute

If your laundry room is on the ground floor or in the basement, why not let gravity do the work? A laundry chute doesn’t take up too much space so if you’re renovating or planning a home construction, it is definitely worth considering. Think about where and what receptacle the laundry will be landing in as well as the most efficient place to install the chute door itself, in relation to the bedrooms/closets.

Get A Step Stool

It might seem like a basic no brainer but a one or two step stool is incredibly important in a laundry room. You’ll be more likely to use this light weight and effortless tool when you need the extra height to reach something rather than crawling on the counter or hauling out a heavy ladder. Just make sure it has a nonslip surface to avoid any accidents.